Description
Book Synopsis: The story of Stanford White—his scandalous affair with the 16-year-old actress Evelyn Nesbit, his murder in 1906 by her husband, the millionaire Harry K. Thaw, and the hailstorm of publicity that surrounded "the trial of the century"—has proven irresistable to generations of novelists, historians, and biographers. The premier neoclassical architect of his day, White's legacy to the world were such masterpieces as New York's original Madison Square Garden, the Washington Square Arch, and the Players, Metropolitan, and Colony clubs. He was also responsible for the palaces of such clients as the Whitneys, Vanderbilts, and Pulitzers, the robber barons of the Gilded Age whose power and dominance shaped the nation in its heady ascent at the turn of the century.
As the century rolled on, however, the story of Stanford White and Evelyn Nesbit came to be viewed as glamorous and romantic, the darker narrative of White's out-of-control sexual compulsion obscured by time. Indeed, White's wife Bessie and his son Larry remained adamantly silent about the matter for the duration of their lives, a silence that reverberated through the next four generations of their extended family.
Suzannah Lessard is the eldest of Stanford White's great grandchildren. It was only in her 30's that she began to sense the parallels between the silence about her great-grandfather's life and the silence about her own perilous experience as a little girl in her own home. Thus she became drawn to the remarkable history of her family in order to uncover its hidden truths, and in so doing to liberate herself from its enclosure at last. The result is a multi-layered memoir of astonishing elegance and power, one that, like a great building, is illumined room by room, chapter by chapter, until the whole is clearly seen.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Details
Experience the allure and danger of the Stanford White family in "The Architect of Desire: Beauty and Danger". This captivating book tells the scandalous tale of Stanford White, the renowned neoclassical architect, and his scandalous affair with the young actress Evelyn Nesbit. Their story captured the public's attention, resulting in a murder and "the trial of the century".
Step into the world of high society and witness the magnificent architectural legacy that Stanford White left behind. Marvel at the grandeur of New York's original Madison Square Garden, the iconic Washington Square Arch, and the exclusive Players, Metropolitan, and Colony clubs. These masterpieces are the backdrop to the captivating story that unfolds within the book.
As you delve deeper into the pages, you'll discover the hidden secrets and scandalous tales of the Gilded Age's elite. The Whitneys, Vanderbilts, and Pulitzers were among Stanford White's clients, and their palaces tell the story of a nation at the height of its power. But behind the opulence lies a darker narrative, one that has been silenced for generations.
Author Suzannah Lessard, Stanford White's own great-grandchild, reveals the untold truths and exposes the family's long-held silence. In her elegant and compelling memoir, she not only uncovers the hidden truths of her family, but also liberates herself from their shadow. Experience the power and beauty of her writing as it illuminates the rooms of her family's history, one chapter at a time.
Uncover the captivating story of the Stanford White family in "The Architect of Desire: Beauty and Danger". It's a book that will transport you to a world of beauty, intrigue, and scandal, revealing the hidden truths that have remained locked away for too long. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in this astonishing memoir.
Get your copy of "The Architect of Desire: Beauty and Danger" now and experience the compelling world of Stanford White's family.
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